ikaw mismo

In any adult world, politics is always the sweetest thing. Call it love and I would agree. Valentine’s day is election time when everybody seems to be wanting to give too much love to every neighbor. Nobody ever runs out of anything to give and fortunately for the giver, there will always be a hungry Filipino who would want to receive. Funny isn’t it? But no matter how sick this hungry Filipino gets with the steady playing of the much sicker jingles and campaigns, he is left with no choice. After all, who knows if he can even afford cable.

Let us educated ourselves with this one:
Who are your presidentiables?

1. Lorna Regina Leviste Legarda

15 million Filipinos trusted her in 1998, 18 million more in 2007. How much are we giving her for her merits this year for presidency?

Her campaign: I bet it would be “Ipagtanggol ang mga kabataan at mga kababaihan” or worse “Ako ang tanging-ina ng sambayanan” in a white long-sleeved shirt with an overly pink background with golden lilies and daffodils, probably with Ai-ai.

Na-ah. I haven’t found much material about her campaign.

For now, I have this:

So are you ready for another female Assumptionista president Philippines?

2. Francis “Chiz” Escudero

“In 1984, I was part of the postering brigade in my dad’s campaign for assemblyman. In 1987, I handled the youth; in 1992, I handled the headquarters and arranged logistics. In 1995, I handled last minute operations, and in 1998, I was finally the candidate!”

This young maroon, first expressed his desire for politics at the age of 22- when he wanted to run as councilor for Sorsogon City in Bicol. At 25, he wanted to run for mayor in the same city. Unfortunately for his parents, he first had to finish law school, in which he was a member of the U.P. Law Honor society.

Because of very very phenomenal campaigns, critics say that he is the man to watch as the country goes through its periodic generational shifts.

His campagin: For me it should go something like a Tictac commercial with a cooling sensation that makes you always want to Say Chzi! Teeny boppers want cool so I’m thinking, if you are 18, you would want Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu. Sarah G. will also do.

And for some of my friends who thinks he is cuter than Mike Defensor, here is a bonus:

3. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
Utang na loob, don’t even think about Jodi Sta. Maria. Ping is PMA and PNP for me and there is just something in his aura that really throws me off.

And why is he controversial:
After eight years of self-exile in the United States, Sabina and Carina Dacer, on July 11, 2008 testified before the Manila Regional Trial Court, regarding the mastermind of the abduction of their father, Bubby Dacer. Sabina swore that: “In his exact words he said, ‘mga anak, kung may mangyari sa akin, walang ibang may kakagawan noon kundi si Ping Lacson’” www.wikipedia.com

His campaign:

or this (for the fashionistas-with Chuvaness’ boys):

or maybe Santino to soften the tough aura.

Surveys say that support for him has been very consistent from people. No loss but no gains at all. The faithfull has remained but there hasn’t been any “cross-over” just yet.

4. Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar Jr.

I have always known him for his orange Lacostes. But now we know him because of Boy Abunda and Willie Revillame.

The “rags-to-riches” story has certainly won the hearts of the masses. And even for me, I must say, the ads are effective.

But how rich has the rags really been?

From selling seafoods in the Divisoria market, he was able to send himself to the University of the Philippines where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Business Administration.

Wiki adds:

He then went on to establish one of the largest development firms in the Southeast Asian region, the Camella & Palmera Homes[citation needed]. Originally low-end developers, the company has recently started selling more high end homes under the Crown Asia brand name, although criticism have been voiced in the press of many such developments in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

Recently, his family bought Villa Pacencia, a three-story 51-year-old mansion who used to be the residence of Jose Laurel. It was built by the former president on a 6,000 hectare land in Mandaluyong.

Some noted his previous efforts to be a lackluster campaign spending heavily on promotions but never really having the guts to bang for the buck. I don’t think so. He’s still got the buck and the luster people. And honestly, I think the “Sipag at Tiyaga” is going on fairly well for years now.

I think his campaigns now are more mature with all the “mabilisang tanong” going on. It tickles the interests of people by making them want to listen and know more. After all, maybe his expensive jingles didn’t really work for him.

Sen. Villar goes candid this time.

And his campaign: I’m sticking with his idea– plus Camille in the background.

On that note, let me say she is very simple and humble.

5. Mar A. Roxas

I still think he is the second generation Villar. Lots of Lacostes and blue going on? I think you would agree. (His son is an Atenean I guess.)

But he has yet to come up with better one-liners in my opinion. The “pedicab” outbreak has caught the attention in all fairness but I don’t think the “Ako na” had much impact for recall.

I wasn’t able to find any other more significant information about Mar Roxas. But I would like to share how he was furiously indirectly addressed by GMA in her sona as somebody “who says bad words in public.”

I appreciate his efforts to push through the Cheaper Medicine Bill- in which he was also an author, even if it means going through endless juvenile bickerings with the president.

And so Roxas also goes candid.

His campaign:
Bear in the Big Blue House with the two kids in their pedicab plus Korina Sanchez while drinking pepsi blue and a statement shirt shouting NO TO BAD WORDS.

“Do I want change for our country? The answer is yes. Do I think I can do a better job? The answer is yes. Do I think our country can be in a much better place? The answer is yes.”
What do you think do we think Sentor?

So politics is a love story where we are supposed to play Juliet and act hard-to-get. Sadly it’s not just the politicians, we may all become love sick fools in the long run. And mind you, hindi laging Valentine’s Day.

So never ever buy cable. Stick with this. Read, watch, listen and vote wisely. Ikaw mismo.